BLOOD OF THE MOTHER By BertaS Feb 2006
Disclaimer: Not mine
A/N I wasn't happy with the last paragraph of the last chapter, so I'm changing it a little.
Seamus had walked into the Bathroom while Harry was trying to get ointment on his back. Swearing and calling Harry a bleedin' idiot for not asking for help, the Irish boy had bullied Harry into bed and had carefully massaged the smelly stuff on. He was a bit surprised that Harry was relaxed enough to fall asleep during this process.
Chapter 39 – Classes Start
Severus was slightly nervous as he ate, more like played with, his breakfast. His first class this year would be the elective seventh years that had not done any potions work since their fifth year.
Lupin's comment about having the first year Slytherins and Gryffindors as his first class did make Severus feel a little better. At least by the time he had to work with first years on Wednesday morning, they would know which end of their wands to hold.
The combined class of seventh year students who had mostly thought they would be ineligible for many of the careers that required a NEWT in potions were also nervous as they filed in to the classroom of Severus Snape. They were all in their seats when the Potions Master swept into the room and laid a stack of parchments on his desk.
"Good morning, you are here because I, in a moment of insanity," he smirked, "allowed myself to be convinced that you should be given the chance to prove that you will work hard and that you want to learn what I can teach you." He scanned the room, "Believe me; if you wish to be able to pass your NEWT's at the end of this year, you will be working very hard."
"If you are not willing to work, then you should leave now, I would prefer that you not waste my time or that of your peers." He paused glaring around the room, to see if anyone would leave." Several of the students thought he had an almost hopeful look. Whether this was because he hoped that no one would leave or they would all would was any ones guess.
"I hope that you all understand that while I am trying a slightly different approach this year, I will still not tolerate any foolishness in this class. You are not little firsties that need coddled or repeatedly reminded that these ingredients are dangerous and expensive. You are almost adults and as such you are expected to comport yourselves appropriately."
He surveyed his audience to see if there would be any questions then waved his wand and the stack of parchments flew off his desk, one to each student, "This is the syllabus we will be attempting to follow. As you can see, the first eight weeks will be devoted to review of years one thru five. After Halloween, we will start on the sixth year information. If we work hard enough we should be able to start seventh year work shortly after the Christmas Holidays. Are there any questions?" he paused, "No?" He smiled as he rolled up his sleeves. "Shall we get started then?"
"What I have planned is a review of Ingredient preparation. You will be watching and assisting in the prep work for a complicated potion that we will be brewing over the next few days. There are points to the first one to correctly identify the potion that I am working on."
Thirty-five minutes, and twelve guesses, later Cho Chang was awarded twenty points when she ask if it was wolfsbane.
While they were cleaning Severus announced, "Your first assignment is to write down as many potions as you can. I would prefer that you not use any books." he held up a thick roll of parchment, "In one hour, I was able to list just under three thousand." He smirked at the wide eyed looks he was getting, "You have until Friday Morning at the start of class. If your stations are clean and there are no questions you may go."
A tentative hand was raised, and when acknowledged, the student asked, "Do we have to know how to make all of them?"
The Professor smirked, "No, although if you were to place check mark by those you know that you have successfully brewed, and a star next to those that you believe yourself capable of, it might make things go a little more quickly by allowing us to merely review things that you already know."
Tuesday the sixth years had DADA with Remus. They spent the time during that class taking what amounted to a written practice NEWT. He told them that during the next class he would be testing them on practical casting, and this was to determine where they stood and what he would need to cover. He was doing this with all but the first years, in fact, most of the seventh years where going to be working just as hard to catch up in DADA as they were in the elective potions class.
On Wednesday Harry and Hermione along with the other sixth years from all the houses that had made O's or E's, had double potions right after lunch. Neville had some how managed to get an E and shocked everyone when he decided to go ahead with the class. Ron had opted out of potions. Of course there where quite a few that didn't make the grade on their OWL's even though the criteria to get into the NEWT class had changed.
The students where startled to find the professor sitting on, instead of at, his desk. He was smiling which had them all a little worried, even the Slytherins looked concerned.
Once everyone had found his or her seat Professor Severus Snape stood. When he started speaking the students were shocked to hear a repeat of the speech he gave during their first year. At one point he stopped and looked at his silent enraptured audience. "I am sure that most of you recognize the content of this speech. Especially since one of you," his eyes darted to Harry, "quoted a portion of it to me the other day, as a way to remind me that I am first and foremost, a Potions Master. And if you are willing to learn, I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even put a stopper in death." He grinned, "Although, most of the ways to do that last one are considered a bit dark. Yes Miss Granger?"
"What makes a potion, or any other magic for that matter, dark? I mean if it saves some one from death how can it be bad?" Hermione asked.
Sev raised his eyebrows, "Intent, Miss Granger, and ingredient selection." At the slightly puzzled expressions on most of the students he said, "For example, there is a 'Youth' potion that I understand works quite well. However, I have never brewed it, and I doubt I ever will, as one of the ingredients is human testes. This is not an ingredient that one… uh… procures, with out violence." He looked at his now slightly green students and smirked, "If you look around I'm sure you will notice that nearly every male in the room has his legs crossed, a sure indication of a sentiment that I myself share concerning that particular piece of anatomy. If you ever are in doubt simply ask yourself, is this potion for the good of the wizarding world or for the good of the brewer? And you will have your answer."
There was some nervous laughter as he leaned against his desk and flicked his wand at the board. "I am afraid that today we will not be working on anything quite so interesting, since we are making, and I use that term loosely," he raised his eye brow at them, "Dreamless Sleep Potion."
The rest of the class went smoothly with every one completing a satisfactory potion although Neville's did seem a slightly darker color of green than it should have been.
Harry had pulled out his DA galleon on Wednesday evening and changed the date on it to Friday. He was quite amused as several people around the common room had jumped and inspected something from their pockets. Dean had given Harry a 'thumbs-up' sign as he put his coin away.
Harry had just grinned thinking he should have done that in the great hall where he could have watched how the other houses reacted.
A/N: I was ask about ships, I really haven't decided, I am leaning toward more than one girl for Harry. As mentioned he needs more than one heir. I am not planning to pair him with Gin or Hermione though.
There will be no actual slash. It may be mentioned again. I am aware of the semi-slashy scenes, primarily because when I read them to my daughter she yells, "That's so gay." And calls me "Maahuhaum" that's what it sounds like any way.
As always reviews are appreciated and you can find bits and pieces on the group.